All about the endangered Red-shouldered Hawks of Allendale and their planned webcam, with occasional posts about the Celery Farm Natural Area, the Duke Farms Eagle Cam and Jim Wright's newspaper column "The Bird Watcher." (This is the once and future Celery Farm Blog.)

Screech Owls

August 17, 2010

I have found that what you think you know about Screech Owls is often not quite true. For example, from observing owl boxes for many years, I had figured that Screech Owls use their nesting boxes as early as late October as as late as early June -- with no activity in July, August or September. Wrong.

An owling friend in Massachusetts writes: "FYI, Had a Screechowl spend day in one of the boxes Friday Aug. 13-- seems quite
unusual. Have you ever had a screech occupancy in the summer?" (No.)

January 28, 2010

Suddenly, a shout rang out.* It was me, yelling to no one in particular after looking out my living room and seeing a new gray face sticking its head out of the Screech Owl nesting box.

Even from 100 feet, I could see it was no owl. It was Public Enemy No. 1.

That's right, it was an Eastern Gray Squirrel, one of those the furry mischief-makers who -- went they aren't busy raiding bird feeders -- love to evict Eastern Screech Owls from their nesting boxes and then set up house themselves.

I have heard from many Screech Owl nesting box proprietors over the years, and they have lost more Screech Owl tenants because of squirrels than for any other reason.

So far I have found only three counter-insurgency methods that seem to work.

January 27, 2010

If you happened to see a guy in a red
jacket by my Screech Owl nesting box earlier this month, you'll be
relieved to know that the guy was not a wacko but rather a trained nesting-box camera installer, better known as (the legendary) Mike From Philly.

Mike installed the first mini microphone and mini infrared video cam for the neighborhood Screechers more than three years ago, and the elements finally got to them.

When the cam and mike crapped out early last fall, I asked the MFP to do a new installation (left). Everything works great.

My Best Videos

eBird Hotspot Explorer for the Celery Farm

Stiles Thomas unveiled his latest carving at Stateline Lookout in Alpine today at the annual "Hawks Over the Hudson Day.' Irish Stepdancer Annabel Greene of Allendale helped with the unveiling and performed a stepdance. The Red-shouldered Hawk carving was commission by Ken Weigand, a long-time advocate for the Red-shouldered Hawks of Allendale.

More than 100 folks attended our third annual Allendale Moth Ball at Crestwood Lake's Red Barn on July 11. One of the highlights was Fyke President Mike Limatola receiving a Barred Owl carved by Marsh Warden Emeritus Stiles Thomas. The After Hours Band was splendid.

Directions

Directions to Green Way entrance to the Celery FarmGreen Way is off the Franklin Turnpike, the second right heading north after the Celery Farm parking lot on the Franklin Turnpike. Parking is in the cul de sac. This is a residential street, so please drive and park considerately. Please do not block the large gates leading into the Celery Farm, and please park parallel to the curb.

Directions To Celery Farm Main Parking LotParking lot is on your right, north of Cottage Place, past three houses. Please do not park on the sidewalk -- it is illegal, by state law. You could damage the sidewalk, make it dangerous for pedestrians, and receive a ticket. (Pass the word if you see anyone parking on thes sidewalk.)

My Books

Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Swan BabiesThis children's book, photographed at the Celery Farm, is the heart-warming true story of a pair of mute swans who overcame a nor'easter to save their nest.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.

Wright, Barrack & Friends of the Celery Farm: Survival: The Red-shouldered Hawks of AllendaleThis book is now avaialble as a download for iPads. Via Blurb.com: http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2677163

Jim Wright, Doug Goodell and Jerry Barrack: Jungle of the MayaThe definitive coffee-table book about Central America's largest -- and threatened -- rainforest. With sections on rare birds, howler monkeys and spider monkeys, Maya history, butterflies and more.
Available on line. Wild Birds Unlimited may have a few copies.

Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack, with Doug Goodell: In the Presence of Nature
This is the coffee table book about the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, published in 2002 and now out of print. It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley.
Copies are available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.

Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack: Icky the Hungry Heron
A children's book about an amazing Great Blue Heron's quest for a gigantic carp at the Celery Farm, featuring photographs taken at the natural area.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.

Jim Wright and Kevin Watson: Hawk Mountain
This coffee-table book was published in 2009 as part of the world-famous raptor sanctuary's 75th anniversary. Features great photos by Kevin Watson, thoughtful prose, and some neat archival photos as well.
Available at Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus and online.

Jim Wright and the Artists of Northern Highlands: Ghosts of Allendale
A ghost story featuring Founding Father John Fell and the Celery Farm Natural Area.
All profits go to the Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship Fund at Northern Highlands, and to the restoration of the historic Fell House.
Now on sale at the Lee Memorial Library in Allendale, Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus It tells the history of the farm and features great photography, Foreword by David Allen Sibley. While supplies last.

Jim Wright, Jerry Barrack, Doug Goodell: Duck Enough To Fly
The classic children's book is now back in print. Photographed at the Celery Farm. The book is for sale as Nov. 29 at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale and Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus.

Photography by Jerry Barrack, Text by Jim Wright: Birds of the Celery Farm
This is a collection of Jerry Barrack's classic bird photography taken at the Celery Farm -- where else?
Available at Rohsler's Nursery in Allendale, Wild Birds Unlimited in Paramus, and Wild Bird Emporium in Midland Park.